Brookside (Bury Meadows)
21.08.2023
On Wednesday 30th August, John Haddon from Lancashire Wildlife Trust will be leading some training on Ash dieback, a fungal disease which is having a huge impact at Brookside, where almost 50% of the woodland is composed of ash which was originally planted as a timber crop. All details of the venue and timings for the day are on the flyer below, and anyone over 16 is welcome.
The morning session will provide an overview of the effects of ash dieback and the main signs to look for in assessing the progression of the disease. You will also have the opportunity to learn more about how affected trees can be managed, both for safety and as an important part of the habitat.
In the afternoon we will head out on site where you will be able to apply your knowledge and start to complete some condition assessments of affected trees. We are particularly keen to identify those trees which have been less badly affected by ash dieback and to monitor any future signs of decline.
The training day will be followed by further sessions where volunteers can use their skills to carry out condition assessments in different areas of the site so that we can build up a fuller picture of the impact of Ash dieback.
If you would like to take part in this training and can commit to completing any further assessments over coming weeks/months, please email [email protected] .
07.08.2023
Despite the weather, we still had a great time at Stanhill Fete on Saturday! We met lots of people, and discussed loads of ideas for transforming the Brookside site into somewhere local people can enjoy nature and take part in outdoor activities. It’s always exciting to chat to people about our ambitions for achieving radical climate action changes by improving biodiversity, habitat recovery, and carbon capture throughout the space.
Don’t forget… you can still take a look at the plans for the site and share your thoughts here: Brookside Survey
The results of the survey will help determine what further development work is needed, and show us which improvements residents and visitors think should be tackled first.
Thanks again to everyone who came to see us on Saturday!
01.08.2023
This Saturday, 5th August, our team will be at Stanhill Fete.
We’ll be there to enjoy the music, games, face painting, BBQ and ice creams – but we’ll also be talking with local people about the the Brookside project too. If you’d like to find out more about how we’d like to improve the site, or share your ideas, then pop along and see us.
The fete takes place between 1pm and 5pm at The Stanhill Pub & Kitchen, Stanhill Rd, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington, BB5 4PS. Hope to see you there 🙂
18.06.2023
We had a brilliant day at Eco Fest yesterday – great to meet so many people who know about the project, and lots of people who wanted to find out more too.
The information boards are now on display in the Market Hall, and we’ll be out and about meeting people at a couple of other events over the summer. Watch this space for dates and details!
15.06.2023
If you’d like to find out more about the project, then head down to EcoFest in Accrington on Saturday, 17th June! You can chat to us, Hyndburn council, and Prospects about where we’re up to and our wider ambitions for the site too.
It’s going to be an amazing day, with loads of fun, environmentally friendly, activities on for all the family. Look forward to seeing you there 🙂
16.05.2023
Hyndburn Borough Council, Stanhill Village Community Association and the local environment charity PROSPECTS Foundation are working together on a plan that could transform the Brookside site into somewhere local people can enjoy nature and more outdoor activities. The ambitious project would also aim to achieve radical climate action changes by improving biodiversity, habitat recovery and carbon capture throughout the space.
The working group has already identified some key improvements that could do this but, before any further plans are considered, we would like to get your feedback and see if there is anything else that you think should be included. You can do this by completing this very short survey: Brookside Survey
The results of the survey will help determine what further development work needs to be done by the group, held decide which improvements are tackled first, and help the team put the other suggestions in priority order. This is a long term project, and not all of the work can take place at once. Changes will be made over several years, and will be dependant upon successful fundraising.
Thanks you for taking the time to answer these very quick questions and share your ideas!
09.02.2023
Tree works to tackle ash dieback will be taking place across the Bury Meadows site in February / March. Some of the trees will need to be removed, and others will be monitored. Sections of footpath will be closed on working days, so please do look out for signs as you walk the site.
More details are on the poster below, and if you have any questions please do contact Sara Parsons at Hyndburn Borough Council (details below)
12.01.2023
We’re still exploring the Bury Meadows site in Stanhill Village, Oswaldtwistle, and it gets more and more interesting with every visit. One of the latest finds from Anne Hourican at Hyndburn Borough Council is this old, gnarly, tree with an usual spreading crown (field elm, we think, but it may be a type of hybrid) along an old field boundary. There are some old Hawthorns there as well, and a very old stone gate post along the same boundary – amazing heritage features. We’ll have more information for you about the project throughout 2023, so do check back for updates.
24.10.2022
We’re delighted to be working with Hyndburn Borough Council and the Stanhill Village Community Association on plans to develop the newly acquired Bury Meadows site in Stanhill Village, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington.
The site, totalling 87 acres (35 hectares), has a wonderful local history, and a very rich habitat mosaic already and there’s huge potential for wider public benefit. Early ideas include aiming to secure Local Nature Reserve status, making woodland improvements, introducing spaces for outdoor activities and creating a Climate Action initiative.
There’s already a lot of public support for the changes, and it’s going to be fantastic being part of such an exciting and ambitious project.
We’ll keep you updated about any community meetings, discussions, ideas and masterplans here – so do keep checking back for details, or follow us on Twitter @Proffittscic.
